Oelkers, Frank Adolph 1872 - 1930

OELKERS, PEUKER, EGLSEDER, LAU

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/29/2022 at 05:59:47

Clayton County Register, Thur., 17 Apr. 1930.

Mr. Frank Adolph Oelkers was born in Cincinnati, O., Nov. 06, 1872, and was baptized in infancy. He never learned to know his father, as his father passed away before the boy was born. His mother was taken from him when he was a child of four years. Uncle Henry Oelkers and his wife of Guttenberg took care of the fatherless and motherless children, so he came to Guttenberg in 1877. He was educated in the public school in Guttenberg and was confirmed in St. John's Lutheran church by rev. Besel. In later years, Aunt Margaret Oelkers was a mother and friend to him in life.

As a young man he worked on different farms. In 1894 on June 27, he was united in marriage to Miss Kate Peuker. This union was blessed with one child, Pearl. For four years the young couple had charge of the Peuker homestead, moving to Garnavillo in 1898. For ten years he was employed by the U.S. Postal Dept. as a mail carrier and from 1915-1926 he was in the service of Henry Luehsen, being employed as embalmer. From September, 1927, until his last sickness, he was engaged as clerk in the mercantile business of Geo. Tangeman.

Five years ago he took seriously ill with pneumonia but recovered in the course of a few months. Two weeks ago on Sunday morning, he was stricken with the same disease. He had so well passed the crisis that the family was hopeful of a speedy recovery. The end came unexpectedly, his death caused by embalism, on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock. He had reached the age of 57 years, 5 months and 17 days. He was a member of the Masonic order, of the Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodman.

In the death of Mr. Oelkers the town loses a valuable public spirited citizen who has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the community, serving in the fire department and the town council. He leaves to mourn, his widow, Mrs. Kate Oelkers of Garnavillo, one daughter, Mrs. Hy Eglseder, one grandson, NeVa__, one sister, Mrs. Dora Lau of Guttenberg, and many other relatives and friends.